Location: United Arab Emirates
Regional Coverage: Middle East / GCC
Reporting to: Operations Director
Sector: Marine, Offshore and Energy Services
Position Level: Senior Management
Travel: Regular regional and offshore travel required

Job Description

The Offshore & Marine Services Manager will be responsible for managing, developing and expanding marine and offshore technical consultancy services across the Middle East.

The position combines technical leadership, operational management, team development, financial responsibility and strategic business development.

The successful candidate will lead multidisciplinary teams of marine surveyors, naval architects and offshore engineers delivering complex assignments involving vessel conversions, offshore asset integrity, jack-up rig upgrades, vessel life-extension projects, technical audits and marine condition surveys.

The Manager will also act as a trusted technical and commercial advisor to shipowners, shipyards, energy operators, National Oil Companies, financial institutions and insurance organizations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead marine and offshore consultancy projects, including vessel newbuilds, FPSO and FLNG conversions, jack-up rig upgrades and vessel life-extension projects.
• Manage technical due diligence assignments, engineering plan reviews, pre-purchase condition surveys and asset integrity assessments.
• Oversee inspections and surveys of offshore and marine assets, including MODUs, jack-up rigs, drillships, FPSO and FLNG units, offshore support vessels, AHTS vessels, tankers and barges.
• Direct regional field operations and coordinate the deployment and allocation of surveyors and technical specialists.
• Manage project delivery, operational budgets, resource allocation and project profitability.
• Assume responsibility for the business unit’s profit and loss performance.
• Analyse operational and financial performance and implement appropriate controls and improvement measures.
• Prepare, manage and achieve annual business budgets, including revenue and profitability objectives.
• Monitor corporate and regional operational KPIs, compliance requirements, governance standards and business targets.
• Develop and implement regional business strategies aligned with corporate objectives.
• Identify new business opportunities and expand the customer base across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with National Oil Companies, shipowners, shipyards, port authorities, flag administrations and offshore operators.
• Support tender preparation, commercial proposals, contract negotiations and strategic client discussions.
• Lead, mentor and develop teams of marine surveyors, naval architects and offshore engineers.
• Develop and maintain technical guidelines, standard operating procedures, survey methodologies and internal training programmes.
• Ensure all activities comply with applicable Classification Society rules, international maritime regulations and corporate HSEQ requirements.
• Maintain high standards of technical reporting, project governance and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree, diploma or recognized equivalent in Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Production Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 17 years of technical experience within marine, offshore, Classification Society, oil and gas operator or marine consultancy environments.
• At least 8 years of senior project, operational or management experience in the Middle East.
• Experience managing regional business operations, budgets, project P&L and multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Membership of a recognized professional maritime organization such as IMarEST, RINA or SNAME would be advantageous.

Technical Knowledge and Experience

• Strong knowledge of Classification Society rules, including requirements associated with organizations such as ABS, DNV and Lloyd’s Register.
• Thorough understanding of Flag State regulations and IMO conventions and codes, including SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM and ISPS.
• Knowledge of offshore industry standards and guidelines, including IMCA, OCIMF, OVID and eCMID.
• Practical experience inspecting, auditing or managing surveys for marine and offshore assets.
• Strong understanding of hull structural integrity, marine machinery and vessel systems.
• Knowledge of dynamic positioning systems, subsea and drilling equipment certification and offshore operational requirements.
• Experience with non-destructive testing techniques and protective coating systems, including applicable NACE or AMPP standards.
• Knowledge of offshore asset life-extension programmes, structural and machinery conversions, dry-docking management, vessel repairs and newbuilding specifications.
• Understanding of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 management systems and international audit practices.
• Experience in tendering, contract negotiation, operational budget control and technical resource planning.
• Familiarity with digital survey management platforms and electronic data management systems.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong commercial and business-development capabilities.
• Proven leadership and team-management skills.
• Excellent analytical, technical and operational decision-making abilities.
• Strong project-management and financial-management skills.
• Excellent technical report-writing capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and client requirements.
• Strong stakeholder-management and negotiation skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Ability to communicate confidently with senior representatives of National Oil Companies, shipowners, shipyards, port authorities and regulatory bodies.
• Strong understanding of Middle East marine and offshore market conditions.
• Self-motivated and capable of operating independently in a regional leadership position.
• Willingness to travel regularly across the Middle East, including offshore sites, shipyards and client locations, sometimes at short notice.